Connect desktop client without use of browser

ℹ️ Support
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Support intro

Sorry to hear you’re facing problems. :slightly_frowning_face:

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Getting help

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The Basics

  • Nextcloud Server version (e.g., 29.x.x):
  • Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04):
    • Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
  • Web server and version (e.g, Apache 2.4.25):
    • Apache/2.4.62 (Debian)
  • Reverse proxy and version _(e.g. nginx 1.27.2)
    • n.v.t.
  • PHP version (e.g, 8.3):
    • PHP 8.2.29 (cli) (built: Jul 3 2025 16:16:05) (NTS)
  • Is this the first time you’ve seen this error? (Yes / No):
    • Yes
  • When did this problem seem to first start?
    • After replace my OS to Opensuse Tumbleweed
  • Installation method (e.g. AlO, NCP, Bare Metal/Archive, etc.)
    • Installed with apt install in Debian
  • Are you using CloudfIare, mod_security, or similar? (Yes / No)
    • No

Summary of the issue you are facing:

I want my desktop client for Linux to connect to the server with having to authenticate with a web browser. But it seems impossible.

Steps to replicate it (hint: details matter!):

  1. Tried the flathub version. Same problem. Tried to edit config file.

  2. Tried to let chatgpt solve it.

Log entries

Nextcloud

Please provide the log entries from your Nextcloud log that are generated during the time of problem (via the Copy raw option from Administration settings->Logging screen or from your nextcloud.log located in your data directory). Feel free to use a pastebin/gist service if necessary.

There is no specific log for this problem, as far as the server is about it, everything is working great!

Web Browser

If the problem is related to the Web interface, open your browser inspector Console and Network tabs while refreshing (reloading) and reproducing the problem. Provide any relevant output/errors here that appear.

No problems here.

Web server / Reverse Proxy

The output of your Apache/nginx/system log in /var/log/____:

No problems here

Configuration

Nextcloud

The output of occ config:list system or similar is best, but, if not possible, the contents of your config.php file from /path/to/nextcloud is fine (make sure to remove any identifiable information!):

not for this problem

Apps

The output of occ app:list (if possible).

Tips for increasing the likelihood of a response

  • Use the preformatted text formatting option in the editor for all log entries and configuration output.
  • If screenshots are useful, feel free to include them.
    • If possible, also include key error output in text form so it can be searched for.
  • Try to edit log output only minimally (if at all) so that it can be ran through analyzers / formatters by those trying to help you.
2

I did not testet it so far with Linux Client, but if you use (like me) 2FA with TOTP it is possible to create App specific Passwords. I do use it with Android and the App FolderSync, wich i use instead of the Nextcloud Client on my Android devices. WIth that no browser auth is needed.

The App specific Passwords can be created at Settings → Security → New App-Password.

OH and i do use this App specific Passwords also with Linux and Thunderbird to sync Calendar and Adressbook. So it works also in general with Linux

3

Thx Adelaar but i tried that. If I use the app key I have to do log in thru the browser using the app key, nothing change.

Nico

4

But what is your Problem with the Browser? It must be done just once. What i say is;

I have done this Browser-Auth one time after i did setup NC on the Clients. Not every time i start the Nextcloud Linux Client. If you must do it every time you start the Client something is wrong with your Setup. Maybe your Key RIng is not configured as it should be.

5

I don’t use the keyring. Is this the problem? I have to use the app key every time i log in.
Before i starting to use opensuse i used linux mint and there i didn’t use the keyring also not.

But on linux mint i logged in automatically. No problem.

6

Indeed. You need to store Credentials. And this is not Linux specifically. Also M$ uses a Credential Manager for that purpose :wink:

7

Why didn’t i have to use it when using Linux Mint?

Nico

8

Most likely you used it. Its default on Ubuntu OS and Mint is based on Ubuntu. It is possible to use Gnome Key RIng without a Password and that is needed if you use Login without Password. It’s really stupid to use a key ring without a password, but it’s possible. So most likely you did so and simply did not noticed about.

9

So, it cost me a lot of trouble to disable i know.
But here i will try the result with an empty passwd

Nico

10

I really don’t know why, done nothing to inproof my situation but now it is working.
Did start wallet. But the app nextcloud is not in it.

Oke, working, not complaining.

Nico

11

The credentials should be found in Gnome App Seahorse under Passwords → Login. There are two groups of credentials for Nextcloud. Password or secret and network-password. Both are indicated by different symbols.

If you use KDE you shall not install Seahorse but the KDE-Surrogate for Seahorse.